Buying new graphcard, looking for opinions and advice

Originally Posted by Fuell 

Don't let this fool you, a 670 is not really an alternative to a 7970. Just because it beats it in a few random benches means nothing, unless you think a 7950 is significantly better than a 590/6990 as it can best those a few times as well.
Right now the 680 is slightly ahead of the 7970 on average and the 670 edges out the 7950 as well.
Stock vs stock and OC vs OC for 670/680 vs 7970/50
Also see these posts: Here and Here
Right now, for Canada, the 7970 is $460 cheapest, a little high imo. The 670 is hard to find but around $400 and the 7950 $390 (though its got $10 less shipping, so $20 cheaper at best)
I'd think, raw performance wise, you'd be better with the 670 over the 7950, though its louder and uses more power on load. Performance is about 5% different on average, in favor of the 670 and the price difference is very small. I think they will be about equal with matured drivers on each, though its any1's guess.
If it comes down to choosing between the 670 and 7950 it'll almost be personal preference if the prices are similar (670 should be a tad higher at this point).
If you want fastest single, your looking at 680 vs 7970. 680 is always out of stock, and also $50 more than a 7970 for cards that trade blows, again 680 slightly ahead on average, though I don't feel the $50 extra is worth it at the moment. 7970 is a tad overpriced, but against a card that has similar performance, costs $50 more and you can't get it anywhere, the 7970 wins by default there... Price cuts needed on all 4 of these really, but really won't happen till nVidia can ramp up production and get cards in stock. So if you can wait a few months, you most likely will save $50 or so, on either card.
All depends on your budget and needs. Right now I'd suggest 670/7950 range, unless you need/want the best. Then 7970 now. Good luck finding a 680 even if you want it...

Originally Posted by airisom2 

The 670 is an alternative to both the 7950 and the 7970. The 670 was made to compete with the 7950 and it gives performance comparable to the 7970 while using considerably less power in a shorter form factor. Currently, the 670 is the overall best high end card in its price range, and the 2GB of VRAM is enough for even 5760x1200.
The review I linked on my previous post also shows the amount of micro stuttering (frame-time latency between each frame produced) that the cards have too, and the 670 has considerably less micro-stutter than the 7950/7950 in all games tested outside of BF3.